Jewish Opposition to Israeli Attacks in Gaza

Expressing views that are surely representative ofAmerican Jews as a whole, here's what some AmericanJews are saying about the violence in Gaza.

J Street has a petition demanding that the U.S.intervene to bring about an immediate resumption of theceasefire between Israel and Hamas; the petition alsocalls for lifting the blockade of Gaza.

The petition says:

I support immediate and strong U.S.-led diplomatic efforts to urgently reinstate a meaningful ceasefire that ends all military operations, stops the rockets aimed at Israel and lifts the blockade of Gaza. This is in the best interests of Israel, the Palestinian people and the United States.

Brit Tzedek v'Shalom has an action alert asking folksto write to President-elect Obama, insisting that hespeak out now and call for an immediate cease-fire andhumanitarian aid to Gaza, noting that he has spoken outon other issues. As Representative Barney Frank pointedout, "Obama says we have one President at a time, butI'm afraid that seriously overstates the number ofPresidents we have right now."

Americans for Peace Now is asking its supporters towrite to President Bush and President-elect Obama insupport of a ceasefire and humanitarian relief forGaza.

Jewish Voice for Peace condemned the Israeli attacks onGaza, calling for an immediate end to attacks on allcivilians, whether Palestinian or Israeli, and notingthat the blockade of Gaza is a violation ofhumanitarian law and has been widely condemned aroundthe world. Meanwhile they have been organizing supportfor Israeli high school students who have beenimprisoned for refusing to serve in an army thatoccupies the Palestinian Territories.

The overwhelming majority of American Jews voted forObama -- just as the overwhelming majority of AmericanJews opposed the Iraq war. Let's pull for President-elect Obama to heed Brit Tzedek v'Shalom's call tospeak out now.

[Robert Naiman is National Coordinator of Just ForeignPolicy, a membership organization devoted to reformingU.S. foreign policy to reflect the values and serve theinterests of the majority of Americans. Naiman editsthe daily Just Foreign Policy news summary. JFP's website is www.justforeignpolicy.org ]

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Jewish Voices for Peace on Gaza Air Strike

Jewish Voices for PeaceDecember 28, 2008

http://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/

Jewish Voice for Peace joins millions around the world,including the 1,000 Israelis who protested in thestreets of Tel Aviv this weekend, in condemning ongoingIsraeli attacks on Gaza. We call for an immediate endto attacks on all civilians, whether Palestinian orIsraeli.

Israel's slow strangulation of Gaza through blockadehas caused widespread suffering to the 1.5 millionpeople of Gaza due to lack of food, electricity, watertreatment supplies and medical equipment. It is aviolation of humanitarian law and has been widelycondemned around the world.

In resisting this strangulation, Hamas resumedlaunching rockets and mortars from Gaza into southernIsrael, directly targeting civilians, which is also awar crime. Over the years, these poorly made rocketshave been responsible for the deaths of 15 Israelissince 2004.

Every country, Israel included, has the right andobligation to protect its citizens. The recentceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza shows thatdiplomatic agreements are the best protection forcivilian life.

Moreover, massive Israeli air strikes have proven anindiscriminate and brutal weapon. In just two days, theknown death toll is close to 300, and the attacks arecontinuing. By targeting the infrastructure of a poorand densely populated area, Israel has ensuredwidespread civilian casualties among this alreadysuffering and vulnerable population.

This massive destruction of Palestinian life will notprotect the citizens of Israel. It is illegal andimmoral and should be condemned in the strongestpossible terms. And it threatens to ignite the WestBank and add flames to the other fires burning in theMiddle East and beyond for years to come.

The timing of this attack, during the waning days of aUS administration that has undertaken a catastrophicpolicy toward the Middle East and during the run-up toan Israeli election, suggests an opportunistic agendafor short-term political gain at an immense cost inPalestinian lives. In the long run this policy willbenefit no-one except those who always profit from warand exploitation. Only a just and lasting peace,achieved through a negotiated agreement, can provideboth Palestinians and Israelis the security they wantand deserve.

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Tell Obama: Your Strong Voice Is Needed In The Middle East NOW!

Brit Tzedek V'Shalom (Jewish Alliance for Justice & Peace)

The escalating warfare in Gaza and southern Israel demands the immediate attention of President-elect Obama. As President-elect, he must speak out about the escalating crisis between Israel and Hamas, call for an immediate ceasefire, and send a strong signal about his long-term objectives for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

In the last month, he and his advisors did not hesitate to release the outline of a large stimulus package and post-Inauguration economic plan in an attempt to contain the financial crisis. Similar action is warranted for the Middle East.

Take Action

Tell President-elect Obama that his strong voice is needed now. Ask him to call for an immediate ceasefire that ends the attacks by all sides and facilitates the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. He must remind the entire international community of his commitment to Middle East peace and his intention once taking office.

President-elect Obama should also send informal envoys (advisors without formal appointments, members of Congress, etc.) to the region to meet with Israelis, Palestinians, government leaders, and others. Such action will send a strong message about the substantial shift in U.S. involvement he will oversee.

Israel's long-term security lies in a negotiated peace agreement with the Palestinians. As an ally to Israel, there is no more important step Obama can take than to make his positions and concern known immediately.

Please contact President-elect Obama and express your support for his active involvement. Take Action!

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About Me

I am 28 years old, having completed my Master's degree in American Studies at Purdue University in 2005. A native of Chicago, I have lived in Indiana and Alabama. I am an activist, have a life-long pursuit of knowledge,and am a writer who looks forward to being published someday.